Modern Australian-Italian eatery Bar Lettera is slated to open at the Citadines Walker North Sydney hotel in April.

Head Chef Ryan Perry is spearheading the culinary offering after time spent across Sydney venues such as The Bridge Room, Momofuku Seiobo, Woodcut, and Longshore.

“North Sydney is a brilliant place to do an opening as there’s a real opportunity to elevate the local dining scene,” says Perry.

“Bar Lettera is an upmarket offering where we take Italian classics and reinterpret them in a contemporary way.”

Perry’s menu will include riffs on Italian classics such as the caprese salad which takes the form of heirloom tomatoes with kombu oil and Geraldton wax; plus fritto misto is reimagined as deep fried bay bug with semolina crust and house made XO sauce.

Other highlights across the menu will include CopperTree Farms’ grass-fed rib eye with blistered tomatoes, mustard, and pale ale jus and Perry’s personal favourite the Wollemi duck ragu rigatoni with Davidson plum gin sauce.

Drinks-wise, guests can expect takes on classic cocktails featuring Australian ingredients plus a wine list showcasing local producers such as the Macedon Ranges’ Joshua Cooper and Beechworth’s Granjoux.

Sophie Jordan of Jordan Design Studio is behind Bar Lettera’s design which sends a nod to the first female Australian sculpturist Theodora Cowan who lived in the area.

Jordan describes the venue as a modern-day artist’s apartment, and features ceramic sculptures, marble, Australian hardwood floors, a travertine stone bar, plus curated lighting to make an inviting atmosphere to the bar and restaurant.

Bar Lettera is slated to open in April on level 5, Citadines Walker North Sydney, 88 Walker Street, New South Wales.